ABSTRACT. The orange variety “x11”, which is a spontaneous mutant of the sweet orange, has a short juvenile period with early flowering. The data used in this paper are from a randomized design experiment that aimed to assess the plants' flowering characteristics when grafted onto two different varieties of lemon rootstock. The plants were pruned in each of the four seasons, and on each pruning occasion, the number of branches on each plant was counted and classified into four mutually exclusive flowering categories. The data presented large variability and many zeros. The statistical analysis included the use of generalized linear mixed models with a Bayesian approach. The results showed that flowering is not equal over the seasons, i.e., there are significant differences in the classification of the branches across the four seasons and the two varieties, with interactions between seasonal and branch effects.

RESUMO: Investigou-se a interferência do tamanho das gaiolas de criação de adultos de Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) sobre o seu potencial reprodutivo e sua sobrevivência. O tamanho das gaiolas de criação afetou significativamente o potencial reprodutivo deste crisopídeo. Os resultados indicaram que em gaiolas menores (7,5cm de diâmetro) do que as habitualmente usadas para a criação de adultos desse predador (10cm de diâmetro) ocorreram maiores taxas de oviposição. A redução de espaço para a criação de inimigos naturais para atender aos programas de controle biológico em laboratório é muito importante.

ABSTRACT: This study investigated the influence of cage sizes on the survival and reproductive potential of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen). Size of breeding cages significantly affected the reproductive potential of C. externa . Our results indicated that in cages smaller (7.5cm of diameter) than those usually recommended for the rearing of this insect (10cm diameter), females showed higher rates of oviposition. Reduction of space for rearing natural enemies in the laboratory is very important for developing biological control programs.